An Untamed Lynx (Idlewyld Mates Book 2) by Renee Hewett

Author:Renee Hewett [Hewett, Renee]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MTW Press
Published: 2022-01-28T00:00:00+00:00

7

“That’s the pole guy out there, putting them in?” Jaylen asked the next morning. He gazed out the window while eating a bowl of cereal. The child insisted he preferred cereal every day rather than a hot cooked breakfast, which was the only reason Kat sat beside him with her oatmeal instead of cooking up a storm.

“Yep, that’s Hayes. He works with Coleman. The poles need a day to set, so we can start working on the dock tomorrow,” Kat replied.

“Is Coleman out there helping Hayes?”

“No. He was out there with him for a bit, pointing out where he wanted the poles. Then he disappeared. I don’t know what he’s doing.”

“I bet we’ll find out this afternoon.” Jaylen’s face filled with such innocent and child-like mischief, Kate’s heart lifted.

She laughed. “Yeah, you’re right. He’s probably planning some grand outdoorsman adventure for us.”

She was pleased that Jaylen didn’t seem too affected by the previous night’s activities. When they finally sat to watch TV, she asked, “Do you remember everything that happened last night?”

“Not what the nightmare was. Only being a bobcat and feeling kind of confused. I don’t know how I turned back into a boy in my sleep. Weird, right?”

“It’s definitely not the norm,” Kat agreed.

Jaylen settled on a Batman cartoon and shouted, “Hey, we should watch this! I didn’t think of it till now, but Coleman is a lot like Batman. Isn’t he?”

“How so?” Kat asked. She wasn’t all that familiar with the superhero, and she wondered why Jaylen found the two men similar.

“Well, he’s all quiet and brooding, for one.”

“Brooding?” Kat chuckled. That was hardly a usual word for a ten-year-old.

“Yeah. They call him that all the time on the show. You know, he’s like all big and strong and looks unfriendly. Probably because of something that he’s thinking about that’s bothering him. Not because he hates everyone around him or anything.”

“Huh.” Kat nodded. “That is a pretty good description for Coleman.”

“And, of course, the whole kicking bad-guy butt thing.”

When Kat raised an eyebrow, Jaylen immediately picked up on her distaste for violence. “I mean… Not that I’ve seen Coleman beat anyone up. Just that he’s teaching us all those badass things like archery and fishing. I bet Batman fishes when he’s vacationing.” Jaylen laughed at the hilarious image.

They silently watched the rest of the episode. When the show ended, Jaylen gave her a serious look. “Coleman’s parents are dead like Batman’s… and mine.”

Kat nodded gravely. “Coleman told you?”

He shrugged. “I guess he wanted me to know I’m not the only orphan. I have Coleman and Batman.”

“You do.”

“Maybe when I grow up, I’ll keep other people safe like they do.”

Kat was conflicted. On the one hand, she liked seeing the positive influence Coleman had on Jaylen. On the other, she didn’t want Jaylen to glorify such a stoic and possibly lonely existence, like the ones Batman and seemingly Coleman led. She didn’t want that kind of life for Jaylen. She wanted him to have the warmth of family and the belonging of community, and to grow up not feeling alone.

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